A call for all town, city, regional, state and national governments to appoint a Happiness Officer or Minister

The Happiness Alliance calls for the appointment of Officer or Ministers of Happiness and the formation of a happiness commission or cabinet for all local, regional and national governments, as now exists in Bhutan, the United Arab Emirates and the state of Madhya Pradesh in India. Learn more about these offices here.

We suggest that this commission or cabinet be tasked with measuring happiness, wellbeing and sustainability using survey (subjective) and objective data collection to assist in developing happiness policies and programs. We recommend that it be tasked with working with other governmental offices, agencies and commissions to identify and screen policies and programs to ensure they are effective in improving national wellbeing and happiness. For an explanation of how the government of Bhutan has done this, click here.

We believe that the primary purpose of government is to improve the lives of its people. We ask that all governments at every level take a bold and necessary step in that direction. The evidence is clear. We can no longer rely on the assumption that ever-increasing economic growth and consumption will lead to greater happiness for a town, city, region or nation’s people. It is time to realize that wealth and income are inadequate measures of success and well‐being.

We encourage you to consider some of the following programmatic examples as you search for ways to respond to the greatest specific needs in your country. This list is suggestive and by no means exhaustive.

Check back a sample position description and more information and resources to support the appointment and adoption of happiness officers or ministers in all levels of government.